The days are growing shorter with each passing sunset. The light struggles to produce much intensity, frost tips the morning blades of grass, and coats become a necessity - most days at least - once more. We're heading into the second half of autumn and while it may not have quite the vibrant hues or caramel sunshine of earlier weeks, it is still part of my favourite season and I always try to savour every last day until the first snowfall ushers in winter's brazen return.

I borrowed the title of today's post from the words written on the gorgeous Vendula London Autumn Leaves Clip Fastened Bag that I’m sporting here, which the company very kindly sent me as a review gift.

Today's post is the second time that I've had the pleasure of working with Vendula London (you can read about the other and get oodles of information about this stellar UK accessories brand in this post from September) and just as with the first, their product(s) nailed it out of the ball park.

This awesome burgundy corduroy purse - which I want to sincerely thank the company for - is part vintage looking, part shabby chic, and part scrapbook style, which is perfect for me because I'm a old school wearing, shabby chic adoring, passionate paper crafter. The autumn theme is what really melted my knees like ice cream on a slice of hot apple pie, however.

I've owned many bags, new and old alike, over the years, but this is the first that was ever specifically fall themed. Well made, elegant and playful at the same time, nice and roomy, and a cinch to dress up or down, Vendula's gorgeous Autumn Leaves Clip Fastened Bag is an enchanting purse that personifies the creativity, quality and appeal of this British company's awesome offerings (which you can receive free shipping on for all orders over $150.00 USD when you use the coupon code FDUS at checkout).

It struck me a few days ago that almost every year, come autumn, I dip my toes into 1930s inspired fashion. As much as I adore and appreciate the looks of that history rich decade, a lot of the styles from it do not work very well on my short, hourglass figure. Some, particularly those from about '37 onward, do though, and thus it's usually the tail end of the decade that I dabble with every now and then.

Save - possibly (it could be either 30s or 40s) for the hat - nothing here is genuinely from the 1930s, but as is often the case, clothing doesn't have to be from a particular era to look the part or channel the spirit of certain time period.

The dress is from Hell Bunny, purchased last winter, but not yet worn on the blog. The coat is a 1960s does 1930s gem that I bought a few summers ago at a yard sale in a neighbouring town. The burgundy hat, which I sported here earlier this fall (in this outfit post) hails from Garb-Oh Vintage and has proven to be the most frequently reached for chapeau in my wardrobe this season.

We nabbed these photos in front of one side of the SS Sicamous, a good sized paddle wheeler boat that once plied the waters of Okanagan Lake until - fittingly one might say (given my ensemble) - the mid-1930s.

It went through several years of of having an uncertain future, but thankfully some of the locals of the time had the good sense to see it as an important piece of history and to ultimately create a dedicated volunteer run society for its preservation and upkeep. For decades now it has been docked on the shorts of Okanagan Lake here in Penticton and is popular venue for weddings, music and fashion shows, and various other local events (in addition to being open to the public as a museum).

It has always been one of my very favourite sights in our small town and given its colour palette and history, it seemed like a fitting place to highlight not only this 1930s inspired look, but my resplendent new Vendula London bag as well – after all, one can only image the wealth of luggage and handbags alike that spent time on this boat during its glory days!

Fall really is a joyful time for me and I am so grateful for each sublimely pretty day of it. The smiles and the styles, the hues and the happiness, and, yes, even the return of coat weather. There is a natural flow to life and the seasons are a huge part of it, so I've never tried to fight their changes.

Instead I look at them as an exciting opportunity to let another segment of my wardrobe have it's moment in the limelight and to get reacquainted with old (garment/accessory) friends, while also welcoming new ones like this delightful, old school inspired burgundy kiss lock purse into the fashion fold as well.

63 comments:

Thank you sweetly, my dear. Burgundy is my second favourite colour ever (topped only by dusty rose) and I am always delight in finding ways to weave it into my outfits and home decor alike (case in point, all four walls in our master bedroom are burgundy).

Fall perfection! I love this colour combination on you, it is one I have been wearing a lot myself recently. What a gorgeous collar detail. I have been enviously looking at CiCi's collaborations with Vendula, they really do offer something different. I hope you enjoy the rest of this beautiful Autumn xx

They definitely do and I can honestly say they make some of the best quality modern handbags I've ever had the pleasure of owning. I would have no qualms buying from them for myself or to give as a gift (to date my two bags from this terrific company have been review gifts).

Many hugs & happy second half of autumn wishes to you as well,♥ Jessica

Here it is still hot. In the evening, after sunset, he went up a bit 'of mist from the mountains, like clouds full of rain but only humidity, the temperature drops at night, but in the air, during the day, there is still a bit' of summer . Maremma coast yesterday many have taken a bath .. But while I admire the colors of the woods, in the past year the rain has ruined every season, that of 2014 was a very sad autumn. Very reasons to enjoy every moment of it!Dear Jessica I love that your clothing. The colors you choose are magnificent and they are among my favorite. The bag is lovely, I think I'll go take a look at the site! Congratulations for accessories, earrings and mantel are very chic!

Thank you so much, darling lady! Ooohh, what I wouldn't give for a few more warm days! October was, for the most part, gorgeous here, but it wasn't overly toasty and it already feels like ages since summer bid us farewell. Enjoy the sun and know that I'm over here in (soon-to-be-snowy) Canada sending lots of hugs and happy November wishes your way.

This ensemble for Fall is so perfectly put together. I love the hourglass shape, especially the well fit 60's coat with fur trim--adorable! You do indeed look ready to take a little cruise or train trip in a 30's movie.

Thank you very much, sweet Jen. I so wish I could venture back in time and take an ocean liner trip around the world, or at least across the Atlantic. Air travel is great of course, but I think we lost something really special as a culture when, for all intents, we did away with ocean liner voyages of the sort that used to see folks zipping across whole oceans.

Thank you very much, sweet dear. I really like this outfit, too, and am so glad I finally got a chance to debut this charming, classic 1930s/40s style Hell Bunny dress. I had a feeling when I bought it towards the end of last year that it would become a fall staple for me and that it certainly has. :)

Love this location Jessica and your ensemble pairs perfectly with the scene. You really captured the burgundy/marsala colors which are so in this fall! That bag/purse is so much fun and I love how it is a fall theme:) Oh, I am also really loving that jacket!-Madison www.1minniemuse.blogspot.com

What a wonderfully nice comment and bevy of compliments, sweet Madison. Thank you so much! Burgundy is my second favourite colour and I wear it all year round, but rarely more so than during autumn, when it is so splendidly at home in the season.

Hi sweet Carmella, tank you very much for your lovely comment. Ooohh, the brown and black version is awesome, too (but don't own it yet). It would look terrific with this coat and pair of gloves (and bag) as well.

I love the details and touch of colour in this outfit. The bow is perfect and what an amazing bag. I like how you always write something along with your outfit pictures too. Totally agree about re-acquainting with good friends from the wardrobe.

Thank you very much, sweet Linda. A well coordinated/matched outfit is something that is just about always at the forefront of my personal fashion philosophy, so it means all the more to me when some picks up on that in one of my ensemble posts.

Gorgeous cosy outfit! I love the burgundy touches and that Hell Bunny dress exemplifies what they do that's a bit different to other repro brands wonderfully. I know we feel similarly about their awesome range! I was considering this bag when choosing my review items, but funnily enough I went for a winter themed one instead - thinking I'd get more use for it ultimately! I do love this one though; I can't resist a good clip frame purse :) x

Very good point, sweet Cici. I really admire and adore that about Hell Bunny's offerings. Yes, they serve up some standard fare pinup style offerings, which are great of course, but they aren't afraid to delve into other traditional 1930s - 60s silhouettes, too, and I hope that never changes about them.

Vendula's winter themed purses are swoon worthily fantastic. I really, really debated getting one (instead of this fab fall kiss lock number) as well. Too bad we don't live nearby, we could borrow each other's bags and do outfit posts with each of them. :)

Thank you very much, sweet Vanessa. This shade of Mac Lippy (Party Line) has been my favourite new (to me) beauty find of the year. I bought my first tube in the spring and have worn it just about as often as my usual Russian Red ever since. It might be my favourite dark pink lipstick I've ever found. Highly recommended if you enjoy shades of this nature, too.

Yet another amazing outfits-post.What I like about it?!Mostly, the uber-versatile dress you're wearing on these images. I say: that dress, if treated properly, could last you for ages and never fail to amaze you. It's one of those "staple" items, one of those things that you pack first when moving.. heck, maybe even one of those things you should reach out for in a case of fire. Why? Because it is not easy to find The Dress. This is your Dress.Indeed, it isYou have been blessed like that (maybe you're not even aware of it), to find the item that will be your faithful companion for a long time, if you let it.Flaunt this dress.It suits you gorgeously.

You have a very keen eye, my dear friend, and I completely concur with you regarding the potential lifespan and wonderful versatility of this dress. Yes, it is fairly "styled" unto itself right out of the gate, but it can easily be taken in a 1930s or 40s direction, perhaps even 50s and 60s, too, with the right "extras", is classic and comfortable, and boasts ingrained sweetness thanks to the feminine cut and bow detail. I will certainly flaunt it happily, smiling as I do in knowledge that you're such a big fan of it, sweet Marija.

Yet another adorable Vendula London purse! I'm going to have to add them to my Christmas list, I think. What a lovely, chic outfit, perfect for cool days. It's finally starting to get cooler here, and I'm looking forward to pulling out my tweed coat. Have a lovely week!~E

Thank you very much! Same here! Their bags are just fantastic. Not only is the quality terrific, but their designs are amongst the most whimsical, yet still very wearable (on a regular basis, I mean), that I've ever encountered in the modern fashion world. I hope that St. Nick sees your list and brings you one of Vendula's fabulous offerings, sweet lady!

you look sooo cute and happy in your cozy autumn ensemble!!! yes - that bag is pretty and so you! and look at that stunning fur coat! you make me want to wear all black with a bit of bright purple.....wonderful that the old ship has a new life as event location! i´m sure it is very happy to work as a background for you my beautiful friend!!!!!<3 <3 <3

Thank you very much, my darling friend. This fun, plush, classic style vintage fur coat is one of my favourite yard sale finds ever (acquired for a very good price, to boot) and it is holding up awesomely after about three years of wear. I sense it will continue to do so for years, if not decades, more to come, which is awesome, because I flat out love it! :)

It really does make a great background to take photos with and I hope one day to even do a shoot standing on its decks, if we can get permission to do so.

I'm not sure how I missed this outfit but wow!!! I love the colors in this ensemble. It is sure a great cold weather outfit. You managed to accessorise plain colors (colors we all seem to gravitate towards in cold weather) with vibrant accent and this is really inspiring!! I think we should all embrace funky colored accessories this season!

Love the outfit! Your accessories are always so well coordinated, and I really like how the burgundy in the hat, bag, and bow all pop against the neutral background of the dress and coat. It gives the look a lot of life and fun.

Thank you very much, sweet lady. I love that this is softer take on my usual winter uniform (seriously, I live it in during the chilly months) of red, black, and white and/or grey. I might just have to replace red with burgundy more often this season. :)

The colors of this outfit are so pretty ~ but I must say, it was your coat that really caught my eye! What a lovely piece of outerwear, it looks so cozy and fluffy which I just love for cooler weather. :) ❤

Thank you very much, sweet Bonita. Oooohhh, it totally is! It's so warm, plush and fabulous. I still pinch myself sometimes that I found it for a song at a yard sale two or three years ago now (I'm thinking it was in 2013, but it could have been 2012).

That's awesome! It's such a fun, comfortable, classic looking dress. If I happen to see one of the other colourways on sale in my size, I'm going to try and snap it up. I'm a huge Hell Bunny fan in general and their offerings usually fit me fabulously, so the more I can get into my closet, the merrier. :)

Hi lovely Sanne, joyful greetings from Vancouver! Thank you very much for your sweet comment. This really is the perfect purse for an autumn lover like me (or you!) and I feel very grateful to the wonderful folks at Vendula London for our terrific ongoing working relationship and the generous review gifts they send my way.

I hope that all is well on your end and that you're having a beautiful last week of November.

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
however if at any time you would prefer not to see one of your images here, please email me and I'll take it down right away.

PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.